Free Operation Barbarossa and Germany's Defeat in the East by David Stahel

Acknowledgements
     
    This book constitutes a revised version of my doctoral dissertation, which was submitted to the Philosophical Faculty I of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin with the title: And the World Held its Breath. The July/August 1941 Crisis of Army Group Centre and the Failure of Operation Barbarossa . The process of researching and writing this study was enormously rewarding, for which a good deal of thanks belongs to my supervisor Professor Rolf-Dieter Müller of the German Military Research Institute in Potsdam. His patience and selfless devotion to the project allowed me the benefit of his years of research and tremendous knowledge in the field. The end result is, I hope, a reflection of his faith in me and the project.
    A number of others deserve special mention for their time, services and friendship. The distinguished American historian Colonel David M. Glantz provided useful commentary and promptly replied to all my questions during the research process. He also kindly agreed to allow the reproduction of his own privately produced maps for publication in this study. They are the most detailed and comprehensive maps available on the German/Soviet war, and an invaluable asset to my work. Historians Dr Alex J. Kay and Dr Jeff Rutherford both read drafts and provided much critical commentary and useful feedback. Their respective expertise in the area of Germany's eastern front also led to many enlightening discussions of the field.
    During my first year of postgraduate studies at Australia's Monash University I wrote my first substantial research project on the eastern front under the skilled tutelage of Dr Eleanor Hancock. She went on to recommend future study at King's College Department of War Studies and throughout my time in England and Germany has remained a constant source of both helpful advice and encouragement.
    My deepest gratitude also extends to two German families without whom my desire to undertake this research would not have been possible. Upon my arrival in Germany the Mogge family in Köln took in a simple friend of the family and made me feel like one of their own. Thewhole family tirelessly taught me German throughout my initial year in Germany and even supported me financially in that period. Furthermore, I would like to thank the Graichen family originally from Bonn, whose great kindness has provided an education in itself. They provided me with accommodation to do the bulk of my primary research at the military archive in Freiburg. More particularly, to my old friend Jakob Graichen, who provided technical assistance and cast a critical eye over my many translations, I owe a special debt of thanks. I should also like to add my thanks for the many years of friendship, good humour and countless travel adventures. Likewise, his lovely wife Mariana, who never failed in her interest for this project leading to much support and, at times, welcome distraction.
    Anna Held did some excellent last-minute translations for which I was very grateful. Thanks also to Isabella Kessel for providing me with accommodation in Freiburg at short notice and to Stefan Sonneberger for numerous favours.
    On a more personal note, I should like to thank my aunt Priscilla Pettengell for her thorough correction and commentary on the draft, as well as for all the years of loving dedication she has devoted to my education. To my father Warren and my brother Andy, my heartfelt thanks for all the blissful memories together in Cheltenham and everything else since.
    Finally to Paddy Stahel who passed away in 1998. An extraordinary woman of strength, wit and compassion, who never failed to recognise the important things in life. I was privileged to call her my mother. This work is dedicated to her.

Glossary of terms
    BA-MA
Bundesarchiv-Militärarchiv (German Military Archive)
    Einsatzgruppen
‘Action groups’ of the SD and Security Police, used mainly for mass killings
    Eisenbahntruppe
Railroad